“Nothing that would affect my eyes” – advertising drug reactions

Many people who have an eye test wonder why they are asked about what medications they take.  Sometimes they say “nothing that would affect my eyes”. The truth is that many prescribed and over-the-counter medications, even vitamins, can cause side effects in the eyes.

Some adverse reactions from medications may include –

• ž  changes in the macula (central part of the retina)
• ž  changes in the cornea (front of the eye)
• ž  raised eye pressure (glaucoma)
• ž  inflammation of the optic nerve (in the back of the eye)
• ž  peripheral vision loss
• ž  night blindness
• ž  cataract
• ž  red eyes
• ž  inflammation of various areas of the eye
• ž  blurred vision/haloes

and the list goes on. All from “nothing that would affect my eyes” medications!

Some of these changes can be fixed simply by stopping the medication, but some changes are irreversible.  Therefore it is important that you let your optometrist know your entire list of medications, and have eye tests as frequently as you are advised.

For all enquiries and eye test bookings please call 5441 8077